If doctors help people die, where does it stop?
Bronx: Re “Make Medical Aid in Dying legal in New York” (op-ed, Dec. 7): New York State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton fails to take into account the long-term effects that passing such dangerous legislation will have on society as a whole. Countries such as the Netherlands and Canada that passed similar bills have gone on to expand this type of legislation to allow doctors to give lethal medication to the depressed and other people with mental illnesses. Where does it stop?
The American Medical Association, since its beginnings, has opposed physician-assisted suicide. Its 2019 Code of Ethics states: “Physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally inconsistent with the physician’s professional role.” Another group in opposition is the Catholic Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Section 2277) states: “Putting to death those who are sick and dying, or disabled, is morally unacceptable.” Orthodox Jewish groups like the Agudath Israel of America oppose physician-assisted suicide because some diagnosed people withstand the illness, and because it conflicts with their religious beliefs. Disability rights groups represented by the New York Alliance Against Assisted Suicide oppose the intentional practice of allowing physicians to kill physically and mentally ill patients as a policy that “exploits fear, undermines trust in the medical profession, and opens the door to abuse and neglect.”
The truth is that all death is not painful, and when it is, physicians can provide palliative care and give medicines to patients to relieve the pain, but their intent is not to kill the patient. New Yorkers need to write to Gov. Hochul and ask her to leave a positive legacy and veto this dangerous legislation. Vincent Reese
Much the same
Lackawaxen, Pa.: Voicers John Hodio and Thomas Bell seem to be unaware of the similarities in demographics between the U.S. and Scandinavian countries — aging ethnic native populations, declining birth rates and dependence upon immigration to maintain their populations. Overall, the Nordics have a similar percentage of foreign-born as here, and like the U.S., that’s who’ll pay for benefits earned by the Baby Boomers and alphabet generations as they depart from productive status. While Nordic people could emigrate to the U.S. since most already speak English, our people are not generally bilingual or multi-lingual, so would be severely handicapped. What the Voicers might want to address is the American stupidity of opting for a few more billionaires over a comprehensive network of universal social welfare benefits (especially since the Index of Economic Freedom ranks all Nordic countries higher than the U.S., meaning there is no trade-off of rights for security). John A. MacKinnon
Vote for us
Manhattan: Twenty million Americans are going to have the worst possible year if Rep. Hakeem Jeffries’s resolution to resurrect the three-year tax credit extension of the Affordable Care Act doesn’t come to a vote. The GOP does not care if ordinary Americans can afford health care. Health insurance rates have already started to skyrocket, sometimes doubling and tripling. Families will drop their plans, get sicker and even die without essential treatment, and hospitals will be overwhelmed with untreated people coming to the emergency room. All the House Democrats and four breakaway Republicans have formed a majority to support the ACA extension that Sen. Chuck Schumer failed to secure. House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed the House early rather than face a vote. It’s time for Republicans to question their loyalty to President Trump and prove their loyalty to the American people by demanding a vote! Paula Walzer
Organized crime
Newton, N.J.: Trump the dictator has now invaded Venezuela, a country that has done nothing to the United States, and illegally kidnapped its president and first lady. Nicolás Maduro may be a criminal, but that doesn’t give us the right to invade the country without a declaration of war approved by Congress, which did not occur. The administration has conclusively proven that it is a criminal enterprise. Since the incompetent and corrupt Attorney General Pam Bondi refuses to take action, it is up to our elected representatives, especially Republicans, to find their spines and get rid of this criminal before World War III begins. Michael Schnackenberg
Opened the door
Long Branch, N.J.: With the recent assault/invasion of Venezuela and the capture of Maduro and his wife, Trump has all but given the green light to Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping to do the same against Ukraine and Taiwan. In citing the Monroe Doctrine, Trump incorrectly cited the late former President Jimmy Carter with failed missions in Afghanistan. The failed mission was Desert One in Iran. Lenzy Kelley
As dictators do
Manhattan: The Trump administration kidnapped Maduro and his wife on charges that they were a threat to America (trafficking drugs). Yet, at the same time, he meets and hobnobs with Putin, the instigator and aggressor in the Ukraine land grab. How does Trump’s Venezuelan action differ (oil grab)? This is not what I see as democratic, nor something the American people elected him for. What threat does the duly elected leader of Venezuela really pose to the U.S.A.? Yes, they could do a much better job of controlling the drug trade, but in many ways, that is their internal governance issue. I say this because Trump has pardoned a convicted former leader of Honduras. So, what is the difference? Some food for thought! Jim Ralston
Takeover complete
Bronx: It’s official: We the people no longer live in a constitutional republic. The U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights be damned. Joe Cassese
Reality check
Howard Beach: I think I speak for my fellow idiots when I tell Voicer Dom Mastropolo that we can say anything we want about his president — unless, of course, there has been a change to the First Amendment that we have not become aware of. As for his landslide, a margin of 2 million of the 155 million votes cast isn’t really a landslide, now is it? And unless your name is Trump or you belong to the billionaire class, he couldn’t care less about you or your back. Ed Sullivan
Not going away
Brooklyn: Detract, divert and deflect all you want. The segment of the public that is still interested in the Epstein files will still want them released. June Lowe
Potential pick
Scarborough, N.Y.: I wouldn’t be surprised if Mayor Mamdani appoints Maduro as his next police commissioner. Thomas F. Comiskey
Pull support
Rego Park: How unfortunate that, as one of his very first acts as mayor, Mamdani chose to unleash an anti-Jewish agenda. I’d hope, then, that the hundreds of Jewish philanthropic, health, technological and cultural organizations that benefit all New Yorkers immediately cease any further contributions to our city and allow the brilliant minds and generous pocketbooks of the democratic socialists to fill the gap. Oreg Tuttle
Special designation
Bronx: It looks like if anyone complains about Israel killing of Palestinians, they are antisemitic. Also, why is there a Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism and not one for prejudice against any other group? This is total favoritism. Edwin Garcia
Untrustworthy all-clear
Delray Beach, Fla.: So the warehouse fire in Roselle Park, N.J., was deemed safe for air quality. Of course, all the responsible hazmat teams say the air is safe to breathe. Have you heard that story before? We all know from previous disasters that the air is not safe — 9/11, the train derailment in Ohio and now this. Let us see how many people get sick in the following years. Manny Agostini
Streaming only
Brooklyn: To inform Voicer Mary Caggiano about the networks not showing “A Charlie Brown Christmas” this season, the streaming service Apple TV purchased exclusive rights through 2030 to most of the “Peanuts” catalog, including the popular Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday shows. Unfortunately, to watch these shows, a subscription to Apple TV is necessary, as they will not be on the over-the-air networks in the foreseeable future. Another solution to this issue is to purchase the “Peanuts Holiday Collection” DVD set. Then you can view these classics at your disposal any time during the year. William R. Sarnataro
